Wasps keep their sting
Fri, 02 May 2008 14:51
London Wasps, who take on Gloucester in a Guinness Premiership top-of-the-table clash at Adams Park on Sunday, will field a strong line up to face the league leaders.
Wasps have climbed to third in the table after recording their eighth win in succession at Saracens a fortnight ago, but Director of Rugby Ian McGeechan knows Sunday's game against Gloucester will be the toughest yet.
"Gloucester have been good all season, that's why they are top," said McGeechan.
"This game is without doubt our biggest challenge of the season far. Gloucester produce quality rugby on a consistent basis and we have to perform on Sunday to challenge them.
"We've had to fight our way into the top four, and I've no doubt that the race for the play-offs will go right down to the wire next Saturday."
Wasps go into the game not having lost in the Premiership since playing Gloucester at Kingsholm in January, but they face a tough week, with three games to play in the next seven days.
Nevertheless, McGeechan named a strong line up to face the league leaders.
Riki Flutey has recovered from a dead leg and will partner Fraser Waters in the centre.
Up front there is no Phil Vickery (knee) or Pat Barnard (knee), so Tim Payne moves to tighthead prop, with Tom French starting at loosehead.
Joe Worsley gets the nod to join Tom Rees and Lawrence Dallaglio in the back row, with James Haskell having to settle for the bench alongside Waldouck.
Barnard, who has been in intensive rehab since stretching his posterior cruciate ligament against Saracens, is being monitored daily in his recovery, but was not ready for Sunday's game.
London Wasps: 15 Josh Lewsey, 14 Paul Sackey, 13 Fraser Waters, 12 Riki Flutey, 11 Tom Voyce, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Lawrence Dallaglio (captain), 7 Tom Rees, 6 Joe Worsley, 5 Tom Palmer, 4 Simon Shaw, 3 Tim Payne, 2 Raphael Ibanez, 1 Tom
French.
Replacements: 16 Joe Ward, 17 Michael Holford, 18 George Skivington, 19 James Haskell, 20 Mark McMillan, 21 Dominic Waldouck, 22 Mark Van Gisbergen.
Date: Sunday, May 4
Venue: Adams Park, London
Kick-off: 15.00 (14.00 GMT)
Referee: Wayne Barnes
Touch judges: Stuart Terheege, Paul Emerson
TMO: John Burtenshaw
